How much heart rate is normal

May 21, 2022

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What is Pulse?

Your pulse is the number of beats per minute (Bpm). People’s pulse rates vary a lot. For example, your heart rate is lower when resting and increases when moving. Knowing how to measure your heart rate can help you evaluate your exercise program.

When you’re resting, your heart is pumping blood at an average rate. This is important because it helps keep your blood vessels open and your heart healthy. It’s important to know what heart rate is healthy and normal for your age group. Your pulse can help identify health conditions that need expert care. As you get older, your resting heart rate changes.

What is a heart rate?

The heart is a muscular organ located in the centre of the chest and pumps blood throughout the body When the heart beats.This blood contains oxygen and nutrients as well as waste products. A healthy heart can provide the body with the right amount of blood at the correct rate for whatever the body is doing. For example, when you are scared or surprised, your body releases adrenaline, a hormone, to speed up your heart rate. This prepares the body to use more oxygen and energy to escape or confront potential dangers. The pulse refers to the rate at which the arteries expand and contract due to the heart’s pumping action. The pulse rate is always equal to the heartbeat, as the heart’s contractions cause an increase in blood pressure in the arteries that lead to a palpable pulse.

How do you measure the heart rate?

To measure your resting heart rate, you can find your pulse by resting your hand on your chest. Your pulse rhythm matches the movement of your heart and indicates your resting heart rate. Using your middle and index fingers, press firmly on the pulsed areas of your body. One of the most common places to take your pulse is on your wrist. To measure your pulse, locate the side of your neck, the pit opposite your elbow, and the base of your toe. Count each beat for 60 seconds. You can count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply your result by 2. This measurement reflects your resting heart rate.

What Is a Healthy Resting Heart Rate for an Adult?

For adults, a healthy resting heart rate is around 70 beats per minute. The normal heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats (BPM) per minute, depending on age group and gender. Women’s heart rates are about 2-7 beats per minute (bpm) faster than men’s. A large, long-term study compared men with heart rates above 90 and those below 80. Men with higher average Heart rates were three times more likely to die than men with lower average heart rates. People with lower heart rates tend to be more active and exercise more than others. A healthy young athlete’s resting heart rate may be around 40 beats per minute.

What Is a Healthy Resting Heart Rate for children?

When you are young, your heart rate is usually faster than when you get older. Here are some good heart rate ranges for kids based on their age:

Newborn: 100-160 beats per minute
0-5 months: 90-150 bpm
6-12 months: 80-140 bpm
1-3 years: 80-130 bpm
3-5 years old: 80-120 bpm
6-10 years old: 70-110 bpm
11-14 years old: 60-105 bpm

What is a target heart rate?

Your target heart rate is a range of heart rates that reflects how fast your heart should be beating when you exercise.

Your target heart rate is typically expressed as a percentage (usually between 50 per cent and 85 per cent) of your maximum safe heart rate. The maximum rate is based on your age, subtracted from 220. For someone aged 50, their maximum heart rate is 220 minus 50, or 170 beats per minute.

Maximum Heart Rate

Your heart rate maximum, is a calculation that helps you figure out your ideal target heart rate during exercise. To find your maximum heart rate based on your age, subtract 220 from your age. For example, for someone aged 35, the estimated maximum age-related heart rate is 185 beats per minute. This heart rate calculation can help you see if you’re working too hard or not putting enough effort into your workout. Your target heart rate is based on this calculation to help you work at the right intensity for a great workout.

Quick Fact

One simple method to calculate your predicted maximum heart rate:

220 – your age = predicted maximum heart rate.

For example, If your age is 54, your heart rate should be 166 beats per minute.

What are some things that can increase your heart rate?

Tachycardia, when the heart rate is higher than normal, can be caused by such underlying diseases as

Anaemia
Congenital heart disease
Heart disease that affects blood flow
Hyperthyroidism
Trauma heart like a heart attack
Ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias

Other less severe reasons for a fast heart rate include:

Consumption of caffeine
Drinking alcohol
Physical exercise
Pregnancy
Stress

How do you lower the resting heart rate?

There are ways to lower your resting heart rate, including exercise and relaxation techniques. Regular exercise can help reduce your resting heart rate over time, even if you don’t have any medical causes. Most people who exercise regularly have lower resting heart rates than those who do not exercise. Adults can engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, including strength-building exercises and aerobic exercises.

Normal Heart Rate Chart

Age Range	Heart Rate (Beats Per Min)
Newborn	100-160
0-5 Months	90-150
6-12 Months	80-140
1-3 Years	80-130
3-5 Years	80-120
6-10 Years	70-100
11-14 Years	60-105
15 Years or older	60-100

How to Maintain Healthy Heart Rate?

Keeping a healthy heart rate is essential for protecting your cardiac health. Stress can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, so reducing your stress levels is vital. There are many ways to reduce stress, including deep breathing, yoga, mindfulness training, and meditation. Lowering your heart rate by quitting smoking can help keep it at an average level. Losing weight can require your body to work harder to get the oxygen and nutrients.